New troop in Manchester enjoys sisterhood and opportunities to grow
MANCHESTER, NH – A new troop of Girl Scout Daisies has been very active since last fall, learning life skills that will serve them well as they grow up. Troop 61103 has seven girls in kindergarten who began meeting last September at Bethany Chapel in Manchester.
Their Girl Scout experience got off to a great start when Manchester’s first female major, Joyce Craig, visited the girls. Troop Co-Leader Rebecca Whittle said they also had visits from Miss New Hampshire Outstanding Teen Isabel Povey and other local teen title holders with the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program.
But what could be more exciting to little girls than getting a visit from a real police horse? Whittle said Officer Kelly McKinney with the Manchester Mounted Division brought her horse, Governor, to one of their meetings. “Officer McKinney gave us a beautiful presentation on what it is like to be a woman in a predominantly male field,” she said.
The Daisies have earned one of their engineering badges, thanks to the council’s STEM on-the-go van programming, and had virtual gingerbread decorating nights, show and tells, pajama parties, and scavenger hunts. Each week they work toward a new Daisy petal, the equivalent of badges for these young girls.
Whittle and Co-lLeader Jessica Pinault worked together at a healthcare staffing company until last April, when they were laid off due to the pandemic. They turned that negative into a positive by taking that free time to start the Daisy troop.
“Our girls are all so sweet, vivacious and full of life,” said Whittle. “We miss meeting in person, and we will be having a Paint Day at You're Fired in Bedford to celebrate all their hard work selling cookies this year. It is amazing to be able to help build the foundation of leadership skills, STEM awareness, entrepreneurship, teamwork for these future leaders and we can't wait to see what their bright futures with the Girl Scouts organization holds!”
Girls are welcome to join Girl Scouts any time of the year. Participate by joining an existing troop, forming a new troop, or even as an individual member. Find out more at www.girlscoutsgwm.org.
Girl Scouts is here for them through it all. Cheering them on, lifting them up, celebrating their strengths. Today, tomorrow, together—we’re on their team.
About Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains: Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains is recognized throughout New Hampshire and Vermont as a leading expert on girls. Our Girl Scout Leadership Experience is a one-of-a-kind leadership development program for girls, with proven results. It is based on time-tested methods and research-backed programming that helps girls take the lead—in their own lives and in the world. Through our exciting and challenging programs, Girl Scouts not only participate but also take the lead in a range of activities—from kayaking, archery, and camping, to coding, robotics, financial literacy training, and beyond! Serving girls throughout New Hampshire and Vermont, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Visit www.girlscoutsgwm.org.
